Academy Bylaws

Article I: Name

The name of the organization shall be the International Academy for the Study of Tourism, hereafter the Academy, which shall be the organization's short name. 

Article II: Objectives

The objectives of the Academy shall be to further the scholarly research and professional investigation of tourism, to encourage the application of findings, and to advance the international diffusion and exchange of tourism knowledge. 

Article III: Membership

Section 1: Fellows of the Academy shall be elected and inducted for their outstanding scholarly contribution to the field of tourism. The size of the Academy membership will be restricted in principle to no more than seventy-five (75) fellows

Section 2: Each fellow of the Academy may nominate no more than two individuals biennially for membership by submitting, for each individual a membership dossier to the Membership Committee.

Section 3: All candidates proposed for membership shall be invited for presentation at the biennial Academy Meeting. At the closing Academy business meeting, the Academy Fellows will review and discuss the qualifications of all candidates proposed for membership and vote on each individual. The result of this vote is not binding but will be submitted to all Fellows to inform them when the official candidate vote is taken (within 2 months after the conclusion of the conference). A candidate who has been rejected for membership cannot be re-nominated for a period of three (3) years

Section 4: Candidates shall be selected by at least two-thirds (2/3) votes and minimum of fifty(50) percent of voting fellows plus one(1). Only "yes" and "no" voting options are permissible.

Section 5: Fellows who fail acceptably to account for non-attendance at two consecutive meetings or do not keep their dues current for two years, or conduct themselves in a manner that brings the Academy to discredit, or do not vote in two consecutive elections, may be referred to the Membership Committee for review and recommendation. The recommendation may be for continuation of full membership with or without the meeting of special conditions or for termination. If conditions are not met within a stated period or if the recommendation is for termination, the Executive Committee will act to terminate the fellow. This termination may be appealed upon receipt of a written request to the Executive Committee. Voluntary resignation for any reason may take place by giving the Executive Committee one month's notice in writing.

Section 6: Fellows are expected to maintain scholarly activity in tourism as indicated by updated vita called for by the Executive Committee every five (5) years. These materials will be subject to review by the Membership Committee which will forward documentation and a recommendation to the Executive Committee. If the Executive Committee concurs with the recommendations, it is empowered to ask the fellow for a statement of justification. If this does not provide a satisfactory explanation, the fellow will be asked to resign. If this is not acceded to, the Executive Committee may then terminate membership after informing the fellow that he or she may appeal the decision to the Academy.

Section 7: At reaching retirement age (65 years or older and no longer working full time) a fellow may request a change of his / her status to a "fellow emeritus". This status, if granted, would require no further active commitment and would allow a replacement membership of another person to be made if the limit has been reached. Emeritus fellows are required to pay annual dues to the Academy at a rate equal to one-half the active fellow rate.

Article IV: Officers

Section 1: The Officers of the Academy shall be President, 1 st Vice President, 2 nd Vice President, Treasurer, and Board Chair.

Section 2: The Officers of the Academy shall be elected every two (2) years by mail ballot immediately after the biennial Meeting. The Nomination Committee shall be responsible for preparing the slate of officers and sending the ballot to all fellows. A majority of the votes returned shall signify election. In case there is no majority for an office, a second vote shall be taken at the Membership Meeting (see Article VI:1).

Section 3: The office of the President shall normally be limited to no more than two (2) consecutive terms.

Section 4: In case of the incapacity of any elected officer, the President will appoint another fellow to complete the term of that office. In case of the incapacity of the President while in office, the Vice President shall assume that office.

Article V: Committees

Section 1: A Membership Committee and a Nomination Committee shall be elected by majority vote of fellows present at each Membership Meeting of the Academy. The terms of office of all committees shall be two (2) years, and no fellow may serve for more than two (2) consecutive terms in the same Committee. Fellows of each committee shall, following their elections, elect one of their members as the Chair of that Committee and convey this person's name to the Executive Committee as soon as possible. 

All other Standing Committees shall be appointed by the Executive Committee . Members of each Standing Committee shall, following their appointments, elect one of their members as the Chair of that Committee and convey this person's name to the Executive Committee as soon as possible.

Section 2: The Nominating Committee will normally be composed of three fellows and be responsible for preparing the slate of officers for election as specified in Article IV:2. Additiional candidates may be nominated by at least five (5) fellows of the Academy.

Section 3: The Executive Committee shall consist of the President, 1 st Vice President, 2 nd Vice President, Treasurer, and Board Chair.. The Executive Committee shall confer at least once each year at the call of the President. The minutes of the Executive Committee shall be distributed to the fellows of the Academy as promptly as possible.

Section 4: The Executive Committee shall confer to conduct the business of the Academy and decide on the recommendations of the Membership Committee regarding noncompliance as specified in Article III:5. The Executive Committee may invite other fellows to participate in discussion of matters within their special competence.

Section 5: Actions of the Executive Committee shall be ratified by the fellows of the Academy at the Membership Meeting.

Section 6: From time to time ad hoc committees may be appointed by the Executive Committee who will, through the President, appoint the chair. 

Article VI: Meetings and Business

Section 1: The Academy shall hold a Membership Meeting every two (2) years at such time and place as the Executive Committee, after polling fellows, shall designate.

Section 2: The Membership Meeting will consist of a business session in addition to professional sessions.

Section 3: The Agenda of the Membership Meeting shall be mailed to Academy fellows two (2) months prior to the Meeting. All business must fall within the scope of goals of the Academy.

Section 4: Business Affairs may be transacted either by mail ballot or at the Membership Meeting by a quorum of fellows. One third (1/3) of the total number of fellows shall constitute a quorum. If a quorum is not available, a new meeting for which a quorum will not be required shall be called.

Section 5: The Academy shall be incorporated as a nonprofit organization in a country selected by the Executive Committee.

Section 6: The Academy may establish such financial reserves as considered appropriate by the Executive Committee, subject to the regulations and laws of the country in which the Academy is incorporated.

Section 7: The Academy shall not operate at a deficit.

Section 8: The Officers of the Academy may establish such banking procedures and bank accounts as deemed appropriate and necessary for the efficient operation of the Academy.

Section 9: The officers shall have authority for signing cheques and approving expenditures of the Academy. All financial transactions exceeding $500 shall require the signatures of the Treasurer and the President or one other officer as designated by the President.

Section 10: The Treasurer is responsible for preparing an annual financial report which shall be sent to all fellows and such reports shall be approved by a majority of fellows present at the Membership Meeting.

Section 11: The annual financial report shall be subject to a review by a professional accountant.

Section 12: No officer of the Academy shall receive remuneration for the performance of his or her duties.

Article VII: Changes to the Bylaws

Changes in the Bylaws shall be made by two-thirds (2/3) affirmative vote of fellows voting either in person or by mail, provided that the proposed changes have been mailed two (2) months in advance of the proposed date for voting.

Article VIII: Dues

All fellows shall pay an annual membership fee as set by the Executive Committee and ratified by the membership.